SC instructs Centre to give details on Omar Abdullah’s release in 7 days

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday asked the Centre to inform within a week if it is planning to release National Conference leader Omar Abdullah from detention, adding that it will start proceedings for hearing on the plea filed by his sister if the government fails to do so.

The order came during the hearing of a Habeas Corpus plea for Omar Abdullah filed by his sister Sarah Abdullah Pilot. The apex court ordered the counsel appearing for Jammu and Kashmir administration to take provide the information within seven days.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next week.

Sources have informed that Abdullah is likely to walk home in a week’s time. According to the information, the date of the former chief minister hasn’t been fixed but he will be released soon from Hari Niwas Palace, a designated sub-jail on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Sara Abdullah's petition filed in the Supreme Court observed that no "material facts which are imperative for an order of detention."

"The grounds for the detention order are wholly lacking any material facts or particulars which are imperative for an order of detention," the plea pointed out.

"It is rare that those who have served the nation as members of Parliaments, Chief Ministers of state, ministers in the union and have also stood by the national aspirations of India are now perceived as a threat to the state," the plea further stated.

Omar Abdullah and many other political leaders were detained on August 5 last year when the Centre withdrew special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.